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“Some people battle their way to the top, while others bottle their way to the bottom”

"Some people battle their way to the top, while others bottle their way to the bottom” is a drinking saying that has been frequently reprinted. “Some men battle their way to the top, then bottle their way to the bottom” was credited to Paul Balwantz of the Wetzel Republican (New Martinsville, WV) in September 1952.

Google News Archive
26 September 1952, St Marys (WV) Oracle, “Pleasantries,” pg. 2, col. 1:
Some men battle their way to the top, then bottle their way to the bottom, says Paul Balwantz in his “Out the Crick” column in the Wetzel Republican.

3 November 1955, Elgin (IA) Echo, “The Broadcaster,” pg. 8, col. 7 ad:
Some battle their way to the top—others bottle their way to the bottom.

Google BooksSpeaker’s Desk Book of Quips, Quotes, and Anecdotes
By Jacob Morton Braude
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
1963
Pg. 133:
Some battle their way to the top — others bottle their way to the bottom.